Purple Tang

Also known as the Yellowtail Sailfin Tang or Purple Sailfin Surgeonfish.
The Purple Tang is one of the most iconic and visually striking surgeonfish in the marine hobby, recognized for its deep violet body, electric blue spotting and bold yellow tail. Native to the Red Sea and nearby regions of the Arabian Peninsula, this species is both hardy and highly active, making it a centerpiece in many large reef aquariums. While semi aggressive toward other tangs, a well-acclimated and quarantined Purple Tang becomes a strong eater, dependable algae grazer and long-lived addition ideal for intermediate to advanced aquarists.

Key Features

Scientific Name: Zebrasoma xanthurum
Common Names: Purple Tang, Yellowtail Sailfin Tang, Purple Sailfin Surgeonfish
Adult Size: 8 to 10 inches
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years or more
Temperament: Semi aggressive, especially toward similar-shaped tangs
Reef Compatibility: Reef safe and does not harm corals
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons minimum, 150 gallons recommended
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Habitat and Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat:
Found primarily in the Red Sea, inhabiting coral-rich slopes, reef ledges and rocky zones with abundant algae growth.

Tank Environment:
● Open swimming space with strong flow
● Abundant rockwork for grazing and shelter
● Mature systems with stable parameters
● High oxygenation for active swimming behavior

Water Parameters:
● Temperature: 74 to 82°F
● Salinity: 1.023 to 1.025
● pH: 8.1 to 8.4
● Ammonia and Nitrite: 0 ppm
● Nitrate: under 20 ppm
● Alkalinity: 8 to 12 dKH

Essential Equipment:
● Oversized protein skimmer
● UV sterilizer recommended
● Strong mechanical and biological filtration
● Weekly 10 to 15 percent water changes

Diet and Feeding

Purple Tangs are herbivores and constant grazers in the wild.

Recommended Foods:
● Nori and seaweed sheets
● Spirulina-based pellets
● Algae flakes and herbivore blends
● Frozen herbivore diets
● Enriched spirulina sheets

Feeding Schedule:
● Feed 2 to 3 times daily
● Provide nori daily on feeding clips
● Rotate foods to improve color and boost immunity

Behavior and Compatibility

Temperament:
Semi aggressive and may challenge other tangs, especially Zebrasoma species or similar body shapes. Generally peaceful toward unrelated reef fish.

Tank Mates:
● Gobies, wrasses, anthias, chromis, fairy wrasses
● Peaceful tangs only in large tanks
● Avoid aggressive surgeonfish
● Avoid predatory fish

Pairing Behavior:
Best kept singly unless housed in very large aquariums.

Reef Compatibility

Completely reef safe. Will not nip at corals or invertebrates. Helps control algae through continuous grazing.

Acclimation and Care Tips

Initial Acclimation:
● Drip acclimate 45 to 60 minutes
● Float bag 15 to 20 minutes for temperature matching
● Dim lighting during introduction to reduce stress

Health Considerations:
● Prone to ich, velvet and stress diseases if not quarantined
● Strongly recommended 2 to 3 week quarantine

Signs of a Healthy Specimen:
● Clear eyes and clean fins
● Deep purple coloration
● Bright yellow tail
● Active swimming and consistent grazing

Color and Development

Coloration Characteristics:
● Body: Deep purple to violet with subtle blue patterning
● Tail: Bright yellow, creating a vivid contrast
● Fins: Purple with faint blue edging
● Markings: Fine spotting across the face and body

Color Intensity:
● High quality herbivore diet enhances deep violet tones
● Strong lighting improves visibility of blue spotting
● Poor nutrition or stress may dull coloration

Size and Growth:
● Juveniles start around 2 to 3 inches
● Adults reach 8 to 10 inches
● Rapid growth in the first year with proper diet and space

Special Considerations

Quarantine Recommended:
Essential to prevent parasites and ensure strong feeding before adding to the display tank.

Captive Bred Notes:
Captive bred Purple Tangs are rare but becoming more available. They typically adapt faster and show stronger feeding responses.

Breeding Potential

Captive breeding is extremely rare. Purple Tangs spawn in open-water columns and require large oceanlike conditions that are difficult to replicate in home aquariums.

Why Choose a Quarantined Purple Tang

A quarantined Purple Tang ensures strong health, parasite-free introduction and easier adaptation to captive life. With its rich violet coloration, bold yellow tail and active grazing behavior, it becomes a stunning and reliable showpiece in any large reef or FOWLR aquarium.